“Yikes! How Far Can I Stretch My Money?”

“Yikes! How Far Can I
Stretch My Money?”
Lunch and Learn Series
Presented by
Karen M. Jaskot, ACSW, LCSW, CAC-D
of
Franco Psychological Associates, P.C.
Dickinson’s EAP Provider
PARTS
Plan
 Attitude
 Resources
 Techniques
 Self Care
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Take a minute and record ideas in
each area for discussion!
Plan
Know where your money goes! How do we do this?
 Have a PLAN
 Track for one month your income and debts—record
EVERYTHING
 Build in Surprises or non routine expenses
 Build in miscellaneous, emergencies, entertainment
 Utilize external helpers (services, peers, EAP)
 Stick to the plan and track variances
 Know your interest rates on loans/credit cards
 Budget for the Holidays! Impulse buying is dangerous
 Shop with a list! Know sales and prices
Attitude
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Check your attitude—do you have an
attitude of entitlement?
Are you able to set and maintain limits for
yourself?
“Is this a want or a need?”, a very
powerful question
Do you laugh at or learn from the
frugalness of depression era survivors?
Resources
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Outline for a budget
Financial Credit Counseling
Financial Planners (they always
encourage us to pay ourselves!)
Buy in Bulk and/partner with someone
while shopping in bulk
Sign up for coupons (Groupon)
Cut and Use Coupons
Techniques
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“My Momma told me, you better shop
around!”
Do your research—tell a salesperson and
show ads; buy floor models
Impulse vs. Thoughtful Purchases
Credit Card “Protection”
Check interest rates on credit cards—you
can negotiate reduced rates at times
Techniques Continued
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Set Immediate and Long term financial goals
Shared vision with spouse, partner and family
Buy in Bulk (also important for emergency
preparedness)
Utilize PPI energy coaches and weatherize
Maximize energy reduction and tax write offs
Look at and purchase from sites like
Overstock.com
Techniques Continued
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Cut and Use Coupons; organize and stock up on
sale items
Cooking tools: buy reduced price meat, cook
and freeze, buy local farm markets
Create a mentor/support group to share ideas
over lunch
Share recipes! Recreate leftovers into new
meals
Look at Clearance Racks and buy for next year
Self Care
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Elicit ideas and suggestions from peers on
how they cut corners
Build in perks or small rewards (ex. Dinner
out, 25.00 shopping purchase, etc.
Record and celebrate your successes
Build in variances and room for surprises
Seek free/cheap recreation---there are
many free/near free activities
Who you gonna call?
Your EAP Counselors
At
Franco Psychological Associates, P.C.
243-1896